SOLSC 3.17.13

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Peeps...

Lily and I were on Google this morning, and their GoogleDoodle shows some kids dancing an Irish jig. When we clicked on the doodle, of course, the page that popped up was a search for St. Pat's Day info. So, we watched one from The History Channel about the origins of St. Patrick. Apparently he wasn't interested in religion until he was kidnapped by some Irish folk who turned him into a shepherd. One day, God told him to leave Ireland, so he did. Became a priest, then God told him to go back to Ireland as a missionary. So he did, and the people of Ireland embraced him.

That was a long time ago...and I'm wondering if you ever wonder about how holidays were started? I mean, I'm interested in that, especially because many of our holidays that have a religious aspect to it started off as pagan (nonreligious) rituals. But do you ever wonder? And if you wonder, how do you go about finding the answers?

Write about that today if you're looking for a topic. Do a little research-- even if it's just a Google search-- and find out the origins of your favorite holiday. In your post, link to the sites where you found the information (this would be like citing sources for a research paper).

I can't wait to read what you find out!!


***Remember:

1. Paste your post's URL in the COMMENTS section.
2. Comment on 3 classmates' posts -- especially your writing group's posts!
3. Comment on 3 posts from the national site: TwoWritingTeachers

Sing your song. Dance your dance. Tell your tale. 

    ~~ Frank McCourt

                       

SOLSC 3.16.13

Hey Peeps...

I'm in mourning for my Blue Devils. Short post today, sorry.


Just so you know...this is how I feel:

Yep...Just like my hero, Spongebob. That's what happens when I get disappointed. I would have been okay if Maryland had beat Carolina today, but NOOOOOOOOO!!

So, I'm going to stuff my face with Mexican food and sulk. Who knows how long my sulking will last? I may not even have lesson plans for you on Monday.



**Remember: Comment on 3 other students' posts & 3 from the national site: TwoWritingTeachers

SOLSC 3.15.13

So, today I'm thinking about our This I Believe essays. We aren't spending enough time on them -- reading examples and practicing specific techniques. But we aren't spending enough time reading the literature we need to either. I'm making that okay by telling myself that you ARE reading -- you're just choosing the books/material, and that's okay.

But, today isn't a day for me to whine about what we AREN'T doing. I want you to think about all the things you've learned from cartoons. Yes, cartoons. Don't tell me that you haven't watched cartoons, or that you haven't learned anything--because I know you have. You just have to think a little.

Here's my list:

13 Things I've Learned from Bugs Bunny

1. A little make-up brings a whole new perspective.
2. Missing that left turn at Albuquerque might make life interesting.
3. Music/singing can explain anything.
4. Hot tempers never win (think Yosemite Sam here).
5. Even a rabbit (shy person) can be a leader.
6. Brains before bullets (guns).
7. Seeking revenge on someone usually backfires.
8. You need friends to get through life.
9. Watch out for strange carrots (people!).
10. Aliens are really coming to get us -- and they want an "Earth-shattering, kaboom!"
11. Humor diffuses a host of problems.
12. Just because you're in charge doesn't mean you know everything.
13. Be a hopeless romantic, and others can't help but love you!

What's on your list???

**Remember to link your post URL in the COMMENTS below!
**Remember to comment on your writing group's posts!

National site to post comments: TwoWritingTeachers -- Comment on 3 other posts

Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen.

- Willa Cather

SOLSC 3.14.13

Hey People...

I bet you don't know what day it is....IT'S PI DAY!!!!

What's Pi Day, you ask?? Oh, munchkins...you do make me laugh. It's geometry pi, of course. You know...the circumference of a circle and all that jazz??

Watch this video and maybe it will help: Flocabulary's Pi Day activities.


If you need a writing prompt today, write a Pi Poem: write a 10-word poem across the center (diameter) of the circle. Then they can calculate their “word circumference” (hint: it’s 10 x π) and write that number of words around the outside of the circle.


**REMEMBER TO COPY YOUR URL IN THE COMMENTS SECTION!!

SOLSC 3.13.13

I'm behind reading your blogs. I know several of you are blogging like all the time & I feel bad that I haven't read them. There are just so many hours in the day, though.

I'm wondering a couple of things though.  Those of you who are blogging, are you getting anything  out of it? Are you finding it easier to find topics? If you aren't blogging regularly, what's holding you back?

Anyway, we're going to spend the next couple of days writing This I Believe essays. I found one of my prewrites  in a previous daybook entitled "I believe in taking that left turn in Albuquerque."  Needless to say, this comes from Bugs Bunny and I have to write about this topic with ya'll.

I found my favorite opera episode of Bugs, so I thought I'd share it with you.  We're going to write about things we've learned from cartoons, so hopefully this episode will get your thinking juices flowing...

SOLSC 3.12.13

Dear My Peeps...

I really enjoyed being able to talk to you all about your books today. You must have gone a little nuts sitting for so long in those hard plastic seats -- but I saw you reading. You looked happy!

Thanks those of you in 2nd period who didn't let me freak out too much when I got observed by our visitors this morning. I was totally stressed, but we all got through it!

I can't type long today because my husband needs to be babied right now. He wants to go to Charlotte to see the band Hinder -- and I have to find somebody to go with him. Because lord knows, I can't go to a rock concert on a flipping school night!!!

Ciao!



**REMEMBER:  Copy your unique URL in the COMMENTS...

SOLSC 3.11.2013

I'm a little stressed out lately, peeps...and when I'm stressed, I sing. So here are 13 songs to help me get out of my stress funk:

13 Mrs. McCabe Happy Songs

1. It's a Beautiful Day -- U2

2. Get the Party Started - Pink

3. Somewhere Over the Rainbow -- Judy Garland

4. Set Fire to the Rain -- Adele

5. American Woman -- Lenny Kravitz

6. Sexy Back -- Justin Timberlake

7. A Little Less Conversation -- Elvis Presley

8. Ho Hey -- Lumineers

9. Mean -- Taylor Swift

10. Crazy -- Gnarls Barkley

11. Pretty Fly for a White Guy -- The Offspring

12. Don't You Forget About Me -- Simple Minds

13. Stuck Like Glue -- Sugarland


Okay, peeps....tell me in the COMMENTS what song gets you happy....